Carton closing device



Jan. 19, 1937. B. LVMAXWELL CARTON CLOSING DEVICE Filed F 2', 1935 s Sheets$heet 1 8 EEK-52H lNVENTOR 2211mm Z. Mam/e1;

Jan. 19, 19.37. B. L. MAXWELL CARTON CLOSING DEVICE .Filed Feb. 2, 1935 5 Shegfs-Sheet 2 ML Wm M I 4 Y Mm I. 21 wa a:

2i u FE ll mm fil U Q m v l9, 1937. B. L. MAXWELL CARTON CLOSING EVIC Filed Feb. 2, 1935 Sheets-Sheet 3 E I w I m Q *3 E3 m w a v 5 m l n Q3 fl I n $3 R a L t\ g $1 cg Q 2 Q7 w 1 5 INVENTQR Patented Jan. 19,1937

. UNITED STATES;

PATENT orator-1 2,008.24: I cA'n'roN CLOSING Davida Bernard L. Maxwell, Beading, Masa, asaignor to Lever Brothers Company, a corporation of Maine Application February 2, 1935, Serial No. 4,591 '8 Claims. (oi. az 4) the factory. This is objectionable and disad-' 'vantageous from a sales viewpoint inasmuch as customers, on noting that the level of the contents is below the top edges of the carton, may

i come to the conclusion that they have been given thereof, thereby creating a condition in which.

short measure whereas the discrepancy between the capacity of the cartonand the quantity of material therein is actually a result of the shrinkage in the volume of the contents due to natural settling thereof after packaging or because of considerable jarring f the cartons while in transit.

To correct this undesirable condition it has been proposed to place a greater quantity of material in the package by heaping it above the top'and mechanically compressing the contents to the top edge of the cartonby meansof a plunger before closing and sealing the flaps. However, this procedurehas not been entirely successful because the compression of such products as soap flakes by a mechanical plunger often results in breaking the flakes and removing the crinkle therefrom so that the product does not reach the consumer in its natural condition. Moreover, undesirable shrinkage in the volume of the contents, as mentioned above, is still found to take-place due, in part, to the fact'that when a plunger is used it entersvabout two thirds of the, way into the carton, thereby compressing and breaking up the contents in the lower third of the carton. When the plunger is extracted it draws with it some of the product from the lower third of the carton into the upper two thirds the density of the product in the lower third of the carton differs materially fromthat in the upper two thirds. On subsequent handling of the carton before it reaches the consumer, the tendency of the lighter product in the upper two thirds of the carton is to settle in more compact form thus leaving an empty space at the top of the carton.

In a co-pending application Serial No. 757,633 flled December 15, 1934 there is disclosed .carton closing and sealing apparatus for overcoming'the above mentioned disadvantages by filling a car-- :flaps to seal the carton,

tan, with the end and side flaps extending vertically from the top edges thereof, to a level between the upstanding flaps and then closing the thus putting the ma-- terial under pressure without diminishing its resiliency so that when the carton is opened its contents tend to expand again to above the top of carton. In addition to means for advancin the cartons through the machine and for closing and sealing the side flaps of a carton over its endflaps, the above mentioned application dis closes apparatus for closing both end flaps simultaneously and for ressing the quantity of material located between the upstanding flaps I into the body of the carton by means of the end: flaps as the latter are folded inwardly to closed positions. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed in the prior application the end flap closing apparatus consists essentially of a pair of pivoted members, such as plates, oper able in unison to close both end flaps simultaneously, one plate being pivotally mounted forengaging and closing'one end flap of a carton at the closing station and the second plate being carried by the first plate and arranged for pivotal movement thereon, in a direction pposite to that of the latter, to engage and 010s the other end flap.

The apparatus of the present invention is, in

its broader aspects, similar to that of the above mentioned application in that it also utilizes a pair of oppositely pivotable plates for closingj the end flaps. However, as disclosed herein, th I closing plates for the opposed end flaps of carton are independently mounted and operated in unison by mechanism differing from that provided for operating the flap closing plates of the earlier application. In addition the platform onwhich a carton is supported at the end-flap closing station is arranged to operate in conjunction with the flap closing plates for pressing the material located between the upstanding of a carton into the body thereof so that the kaged material is under pressure.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of carbon closing apparatus embodying the present invention; Figures 2 to 6 are perspective views showing a carton at various stages-in the flap closing operation; I

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a portion of .the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1, and shows the end-flap closing apparat Figure am an enlarged view of the end-flap closing apparatus, some parts being omitted and others shown in section to illustrate details of construction;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-3 in Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 8 but illustrating parts of the end-flap closing apparatus in another operating position.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 7, the numeral I designates a continuously driven conveyor belt for carrying filled cartons away from a filling station (not shown) where they receive a. measured quantity of soap flakes or similar bulky material. Each carton H reaches the filling station with the bottom sealed and the end and side flaps l2, l3 and l4, l5, respectively, at the top thereof extending vertically upwardly from the sides so that the carton may receive a quantity of soap flakes filling it to a level between the upstanding fiaps and above the score lines l6 about which these flaps are turned inwardly and downwardly to close and seal the carton, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Guide plates l1, spaced at a distance slightly greater'than the thickness of the cartons, ex-

; tend along and above belt III to guide the cartons to a position in front of a reciprocatory ofi- .set-feed device. The offset-feed device removes the cartons in succession from belt 10 and delivers them to apparatus, designated as a. whole :by the numeral 39, which is provided for closto guide the cartons in their subsequent lateral movement by the offset-feed device which is disposed to reciprocate transversely of and above the conveyor belt. The offset-feed device comprises a member fixed to a reciprocatory rod 2| and carrying a pusher plate 22 for moving 'a carton H ofl. 'belt l0 onto a platform 23 located beneath theend flap closing apparatus 39 with the rear side face of the carton contacting vertically spaced back guides 24 and 24a. Plate 22 has an angular extension 25 for closing the exit at the forward end of guides H to temporarily stop the advance of the following cartons, beltin slipping beneath the cartons whose forward movement therewith is thus inhibited.

The reciprocation of rod 2| is effected and con-' trolled by a cam 26 on a cam shaft 2'! through a lever system or other mechanism (not shown) adapted to convertthe rotary movement of shaft 21 into a reciprocatory movement for rod 2| and the offset-feed plate 22 actuated thereby. The

offset-feed cam 26 does not eifect continuous reciprocations of the offset-feed device but operates the latteronly when the cam is tripped by a trigger 30. Trigger 30 extends adjacent bars 18, i9 and has one end positioned in the path of movement ofa carton, as' it is advanced from guides I1 by'belt l0, so that when a carton beform 23.

Cam 2c is formed with a cam slot or the like arranged to vary the rate of reciprocatory movement of pusher plate 22 by rod 2l. In trans- ;ferring a carton from belt III to platform 23 form 23 for closing these flaps.

the plate 22 is initially moved at a sufliciently slow speed to obviate jarring of the carton in order to prevent spilling the soap flakes that fill the carton to a level near the top edges of the upstanding fiaps. At the end of its inward stroke to transfer a carton, pusher-plate 22 remains in contact therewith for an interval while the end flaps l2, I3 are being closed and its angular extension 25 is positioned to prevent advance of other cartons by belt l0, Fig. 9. The return movement of pusher-plate 22 is at a more rapid rate to enable it to be positioned outwardly beyond guides I! in suiiicient time to transfer the following carton to platform 23 without undue delay as the plate 25, moving beyond the guides l1, permits belt ID to position another carton in front of the pusher-plate 22 of the offset-feed device. Although a particular carton feeding device has beenshown and described in detail,

it should be understood that other types of feeding devices may be. employed to position the cartons in succession beneath the device 39 for' closing the end flaps.

The platform 23, to which the cartons are transferred from belt I0 by ofiset-feeding device 20-22, is carried by an elevator foot 33 fixed to an elevating rod 34 reciprocable in guiding'members 35, 36 on the machine frame. The member is mounted on a bracket 42 supported above the platform 23 and also guides a second reciprocable rod 37. Rods 34 and 3'! are operatively connected by means of acrosshead 38 secured to rod34 and slidably mounted on rod 31. The end portion of cross-head 38 that embraces the rod 31 is adapted to engage nuts 31a thereon for raising it in unison with rod 34 during part of the upward movement of the latter. A member 38a fixedly mounted at one end in cross-head 38 is bent adjacent its other end to extend over rod 31 in alignment therewith so that when the .free end of the member 38a is brought into contact with the end of rod 31, as cross-head 38 slides downwardly along the latter, the rod 31 is carried downwardly with rod 34 during part of the downward movement of the latter.

Rod 31 extends through a guide opening in bracket 42 and at its lower end is provided with a hub 43, Fig. 9, carrying a pin 45 by means of which it is connected to pairs of links 5|, 52. -The links 5!, 52 are connected by link pins 53 to arms 54 secured to a pair of pivotally mounted end-flap closing plates 40 and 44, respectively, which substantially correspond in width to the space between the side flaps l4,- 15 of a carton. The plates 40, 44 are mounted in hinge plates 4|, secured on the bracket 42 by hinge pins 4|a extending through apertures inthe lower ends of the arms 54 so that the flap closing plates may be swung downwardly into-contact, with the end flaps of a carton positioned on plat- As shown in Figure 8, the adjacent end portions of? plates 40, 44 overlap and the plates are preferablycut away on their upper and lower faces, respectively, so that they may readily assume horizontal'positions in closing the end flaps of a carton.-

A pairof guide plates 55, 56 for the side flaps of 'a carton is secured to bracket 42 at each side thereof, the plates of 'each pair being" arranged in spaced relation to provide slots or channels for receiving the side flaps 'of a carmajor portions of the plates El are disposed'forwardly of flap closi.ng plates 43, 44, the plates 55 extending along only the forward part of the side edges: of the flapclosing plate 49. The

' plates by the elevating platform 23.

in Fig. 1.

adjacent one end to a crank 41 fixed to The reciprocations of rod 34 for raising and lowering platform 23 and of rod 3] for operating the flap closing plates 49, 44 are controlled by a cam 59 or cam shaft 2 l acting through a linkage 49 to operate a rock shaft 48, as shown A pitman rod 46 adiustably secured shaft 48 has a bifurcated head 48a connected to rod 34 for reciprocating the latter and, through 'cross-head 38, the rod 31- also.

A conveyor chain li guided around a sprocket 16 to travel forwardly in spaced relation to'the rear side face of a carton is provided at intervals with members l1 extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to engage the rearward endof a carton to carry it forwardly from the endflap closing apparatus 39 when platform 23 is in itsv raised position. The spacing of members 11 along chain 15 and the rate of operation of the latter are such that a member 11 does not enton to advanceit. after the end-flap closing oper-;

ation has been nearly or fully 'cdfnple'ted. "The operations of conveyor chain 15 and flap closing device 39 are properly coordinated by suitable mechanism operating cam shaft and the conveyor 15. By this means the carton is'not advanced from the closing stationi-untiljthe end flaps are at leastsubstantially closed, thus retaining the flakes within the package.

A plate we: a width to fit closely between the side flaps l4, I5 is supported from bracket 42 and is vertically positioned to engage the closedend flaps i2, I3 as the carton is moved forwardly for maintaining them closed until one of the" sideflaps has been scaled thereove r to hold them in closed position. The carton is moved forwardly with its bottom guided on a track 8| with which platform 23 aligns when in its raised position. -In the arrangement shown track 8| is disposed with the back guide 24 engaging the rear side of a carton guide it in its forward movement by chain 15. f

Bracket 42 also supports a pair of plates 83,

one at each side of plate 39, providedwith suitable camming portions 94 positionedfor turning the side flaps l4, I5'downwa'rdly and outwardly to a substantially horizontal position, as illustrated in Figure 4. Air under pressureis directed against the top of the cartons and side flaps I4, l5 through an apeRuredpipe 85,supported' from bracket 42, for removing any soap flakes from the side flaps and top of the carton to prevent flakes getting mixed with adhesive that is applied to. the longitudinal edges of the side flaps as they pass under adhesive applying rolls 86.-

Beyond the rolls 86 are plates 91, 89 havingcamming faces adapted to turn theside flaps M, ii, respectively, upwardly and slightly inwardly, as illustrated by the position of flap 15 in Fi ure 5,, into position to; be engaged by related s ries of inclined flap closing and sealing rollers 89, 90.

The respective rollers of each serieshave their v axes inclined at various angles approaching the horizontal across the path of movement of the e: the offset-feed device where the foremost carton is brought to rest by bars l8, l9. The carton upon engaging trigger 39 actuates the latter to tri p cam 29 for effecting reciprocation of the oifset-feed device. Pusher-plate 22 of the offsetfeed device then engages the front side'of the carton and moving inwardly, at a rate to obviate jarring the carton and spillingthe soap flakes therefrom, transfers the foremost carton from belt "I to elevating platform 23, which is then aligned therewith, Figs. 8 and 9. Plate 25 carried with the pusher-plate closes the exit at the forward end of guides I! to temporarily prevent forward movement, of the belt IOL Cam 50 then acts on linkage 49 to turn rock shaft 48 counter-clockwise causing the pitman rod 43.to'raise rod for elevating the platform 23 to'move the carton towards the flap closing plates 40, 44., As platform 23 is raised the flared portions of plates 56 guide the forward parts of the side flaps I4, l5 into the channelsbetween these plates and plates 55 to hold the side flaps in vertical positions, as illustrated in Figure 7, for maintaining them out of the way of flap closing plates 40, 44. When rod.34 is raised it slides the cross-head 38 secured thereto .along rod 31 to engage 'the latter with the nuts 31a on the rod to raise the latter also. As rod 31 is top of the carton for turning the side flaps l4, I5

following carton with raised it draws the links 5|, 52 toward each'other and the latter-act through the arms 54 to swing the plates 40, 44 downwardly about ,hinge pins I3, respectively.

The simultaneous pivoting movements of closer plates 49 and 44 in opposite directions as they are brought into contact with the end flaps turn both flaps inwardly and downwardly at the same time and cause the soap flakes located between theupstanding "flaps to be pressed downwardly into the body of the .carton and compressedby the'end flaps l2, l3 as they are clgsed. The side flaps l4, it, which are held vertically ,betwee'n plates 55 and 56, guide the soap flakes into the body of the carton and prevent their bein forced or spilledover the'sides. As shown in Fi ures 8 and 9, plate 44 is provided with perforations permittin'g the escape of air that may be expressed as the flakes are compressed in the carton.

Asthe plates 40, 44 are swung downwardly toward horizontal positions by the rod 31, the

.rod 34 continues to elegate the platform 23 moving the carton toward the down-swinging closer both above and below by the plates 40, 44 and platform 23, respectively. This application of pressure to the soap flakes does not result in breaking them or removing the crinkle therefrom since the pressure applied to press the material into the body of the carton is considerably less than that which would be required for forcing an excess quantity of soap flakes into a carton by means of a plunger, as mentioned above.

Moreover, the cam 50 is preferably desi ed W a contour or groove providing a harmonic motion so that while the rods 34, 31 may move fairly rapidly in the early part of their upward (and downward) movements, the latter part of their upward movement takes place at a more gradual rate so that as the end flaps approach'their fully closed positions the pressure exerted through the action of plates 4U,\ 44 and platform 23 is applied gently and gradually as the compression of thejfiake's increases.

When the end flaps are closed the operation of conveyor chain 15 brings a member 11 thereon into contact with the rear end of the carto'n for advancing it from beneath closing device 39. Since the plates 55 and 56 extending along the sides of bracket 42 are supported at their forward and upper edges, respectively, the carton may be moved forwardly without interference as the side fiaps I4, ii are free to move out of the channels between these plates.

,Pusher plate 22 of the oil'set feed device is maintained positioned against the front side of the carton holding it against the guide bar 24 as flaps l2, l3 are closed. The oifset-feed'device is then operated by cam 26 to retuni pusher-plate 22 quickly to its outer position for transferring another carton to platformj-H and plate 25 is moved outwardlytherewith from across guides I! 44 it engages plate 40 which holds both flaps l2 and I3 closed and as the carton is advanced from beneath the closing device 39 the end flaps become engaged withthe stationary plate 80 which fits closely between the-side flaps and bears against the end' flaps to hold them in their closed positions.

rod 31 slides therealong until the end of member 38a on the cross-head that overlies the rod 3 engages the end of the latter. The rod 31 is then I flaps l4, l engage the camming faces 84 of plates lowered in unison with the rod 34 so that the links 5 I, 52 are spread and the plates 40, 44 swung upwardly about their hinge pins in preparation for closing the end flaps of the next carton.

As conveyor 15 advances the carton its side 83so that they are turned outwardly and downwardly to horizontal portions, Figure 4, to pass beneath the rolls "to receive adhesive adjacent their side edges. Subsequently, flap l4 on engaging plate 81 is turned upwardly and slightly inwardly into position to pass beneath the inclined rollers 89 which turn the flap down and press it against'the end flaps as .the carton advances, as illustrated in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 1, stationary plate 80 which fits over the end flaps to hold them closed extends forwardlyfar enough beneath rollers 89 to hold these flaps closed until they are sealed by flap u. The plate as and rolls 90 turn flap l5 upwardly and then over the flap l4, as shown in Figure 6, to complete the sealing of the carton.

Although a carton receives a quantity, for example, of loose soap flakes or other bulking material filling it to alevel between the upstanding flaps this quantity need not exceed the usual weight of material which the'carton is intended to contain inasmuch as the soap flakes are put in the carton in their natural crinkly and unbroken form and thus bulk to a volume sufficient to fill 'and, because these flaps are held fully closed by plate 80 until a side flap has been sealed thereover, the carton is fully closed and sealed in this condition. As a result, the usual settling of'the flakes due to natural readjustments or to jarring of the cartons in transit does not manifest itself as a shrinkage in volume of the contents to a level objectionably below the-top of the carton but results in relieving the flakes to a degree from the compressing action of the flaps. In fact it has been found that cartons filled and sealed by apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention often reach the consumer with the flakes still under sufllcient compression so that when the flaps are opened the contents bulge slightly from the top of the carton with the result that the consumer receives the more favorable impression that the carton has been overfilled. Moreover, the contents ofthe carton are less subject to breakage due to abrasion of one particle with another and to shaking on handling because when the carton does not have an empty space at the top, but is full and its contents under pressure,

the contents of the carton are less likely to move about. Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, thereare many changes and variations which may be made with-- out departing from the invention and, therefore, it is desired and intended to include all such changes and variations within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

. 1. Apparatus for closing flaps extending upwardly from opposite edges at the top of a carton comprising; a movable carton support; a pair of flap closing members pivotally mounted in op-' for folding them inwardly to closed positions; and

means for moving said support toward said members to press said pair of flapsagainst said members.

-2. Apparatus. for closing flaps at opposite edgesof the top of 'a carton filled with loose bulky material to a level between the upwardly extending end and side flaps thereof comprising: a pair of flap closing members movably' mounted in opposed to closed position; a carton support movable 'toward said flap closing members; and means for moving said members into engagement with said flaps and for simultaneously moving said supportable carton support; a pair of flap closing members movably mounted in opposed relation and positioned to be moved between the upstanding side flaps of a carton on said support into engagement with the end flaps of the carton to told them inwardly to closed positions; means mounted adjacent said members for engaging and holding the side flaps of a carton in substantially vertical positions out of the path of movement of said end-flap closing members; and means for moving said support toward said-members to engage the side flaps oi a carton thereon with-said holding means. 1

4. Apparatus for closing flaps at opposite end edges at the top of a carton filled with loose ,carton on said support to told them inwardly to closed positions; means for simultaneously movingsaid members into engagement with said end flaps to compress the material located between the upstanding flaps into the body oi! the carton and to close the end flaps in unison; means mounted adjacent said members and engageable by said 1 side flaps for holding them in substantially vertical positions to prevent spilling oi material from the sides or a carton during closing of the end flaps; and means for moving said support towards .said members to engage the side flaps with said holding means and to subsequently press the endflaps against said members.

5. In apparatus for closing flaps extending up-i wardly at opposite edges of the top oi! a carton; a closing station; a movable carton support at tons to said'support; means disposed out of the plane of said conveying means for carrying cartons away from said station; means for moving' said carton'support to position the carton in the plane of said carrying means; and means ,for

operating said closing members for engaging and closing end flaps of a carton on said support.

6.-In apparatus for closing flaps extending upwardly at opposite edges of the top of a carton; a closing station; a movable carton support at said. station; a pair of flap closing members 1 mounted in opposed relation at said station for movement to engage and close opposed end flaps of a carton; conveying means for advancing cartons to said support; means disposed out of the plane of said conveying means for carrying cartons away from said station; and means for moving said carton support to press .end flaps of a carrying means.

'7. Apparatus for closing flaps extending upwardly at the top of a carton comprising; a pair of flapclosing members mounted in opposed relation and each adapted to engageone of a pair of opposed flaps; individual means supporting said members between their ends .i'or pivotal movement; a reciprocable member; and individual pairs of links associated with said closing members and said reciprocable member, the links of each pair having their adjacent ends interconnected and their opposite ends connected respectively to one of said members and to said reciprocable member for transmitting the movement or the latter to said flap closing members for pivoting them in opposite directions.

8. Apparatus for closing flaps extending upwardly at the topof a carton comprising; a pair oi flap closing members mounted in opposed relation and each adapted to engage one of a pair of opposed flaps; individual means supporting said members between their ends for pivotal movement; a member reciprocable toward and awayfrom the top of a carton in a'path between thepivots of said closing members: and individual linkages connecting 'said'closing members .to said reciprocable member for pivoting them; in opposite directions into engagement with the carton flaps upon movement of said reciprocable member in a direction away from the carton.

. BERNARD L. MAXWELL. 

